Afro Cuban Dances of the Orishas - Tutors: Zaida Arencibia & Juan Muñoz
Course Content
This 8 week course will be run by Cuban dancer Zaida Arencibia and will cover Yoruba dances for Eleggua, Ochun (Iyessa), Obatala, Chango and Ogun. From the Congo Tradition Palo and Macuta, plus carnaval dances for Conga Oriental and Mozambique.
The Yoruba dances for Chango and Ogun will be taught by Cuban dancer Juan Muñoz in a special evening taster session. During the course dancers will work on Cuban technique and physical conditioning as well as learning the choreography for the specific dances.
Some dance experience is necessary for this course. Beginners – advanced dancers will be welcomed.
About the Tutors:
Zaida Arencibia - Havana, Cuba.
Zaida was selected for the National School of Dance in Havana at the age of twelve. She studied there on a residential basis for 7 years, training in contemporary and folkloric dance. From there she went into teaching at a school for dance in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and was selected to be an internationalista in 1987; her posting was to Maputo in Mozambique, where she taught dance for 7 years. She took up residence in England in 1996 where she now works as a free-lance choreographer and dance teacher, specializing in the dances of the Orishas.
Juan Muñoz - Havana, Cuba (Teaching Chango and Ogun on May 28th)
Juan is a qualified dance instructor and choreographer, has had his own professional dance troupe in Cuba, and competed in Cuban and World dance competitions of the highest standard..Juan was born in Havana City, Cuba, and has been dancing since being a young boy. He started training formally and learning dance in Cuba from being 15 years old and studied at the University of Havana for 11 years, becoming a Graduate of dance, specialising in Afro-Cuban dance - rumba, yoruba, etc. and ‘Bailes Populares’ - Salsa, including Son, Mambo, and Cha Cha Cha.